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There have been a number of articles in the press recently about the benefits of women having sponsors in terms of their advancement to senior executive positions within their corporations. In case you missed them, I have attached the link to one such article from the Financial Post http://business.financialpost.com/2011/11/30/key-to-women-entering-the-c-suite-may-just-be-a-hero/

The article and the research and our own experience tells us sponsors are different from mentors. The referenced article outlines the difference very well. “Unlike mentors, who offer career coaching and advice, sponsors are vocal and influential advocates. Defined by their organizational clout and ability to open doors, they personally lobby for a project or promotion on a proteges behalf. For women, such sponsorship can boost the likelihood of stretch assignments, pay raises and promotions up to 30%, studies show – far beyond the impact mentoring alone can deliver.”

I am planning to Ask the Babes about sponsorship and mentoring and will share their answers with you as I receive them. In particular, I am interested to know whether they have had sponsors and mentors and their view of the differences and if they were lucky enough to have one or the other or both how they went about finding them.

And I would be delighted to hear from any of you who might have advice, insights or comments to offer on this topic or any other!!